Category: Announcements

New Year, New Feature?

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It is not a secret that most of the work I do in this webspace is in support of my teaching, that the “i” in “Elliott RWI” has gotten more attention than any other part of the site. That it has makes sense, since most of my time is taken up with the work of teaching–and it presents some problems to the pursuit of full-time academic work, since most of an academic’s time is supposed to be spent generating research.

It alsoDonate Button with Credit Cards presents some problems for my ability to support my family. The salaries of those who teach are not often high–and rarely have been, outside of a few special circumstances–and those like me who do so part-time fare even worse in that regard. As such, I have for some time featured buttons like that appearing amid this paragraph, and I cannot say they have been wholly unsuccessful at bringing in a bit more support. They have not brought in a lot of it, though, and I find myself in need of more of it; doing the things that are mentioned on my biography are not inexpensive, and raising a family is no small thing.

As such, I am looking into developing a Patreon or somesuch thing. (It has been recommended to me by a good friend that I do so.) Either that, or I will be making more posts to this webspace that focus more on the “w” in Elliott RWI and appending the “Donate” button to each. In either event, any support will be welcomed, and I hope to offer something more widely useful than my teaching materials–which my students note appreciating–have been.

Further Comments about the January 2017 Session at DeVry University

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I was advised by the administration at DeVry University that, due to low enrollment, the class I had previously been offered at the institution (here) has been canceled. As such, I will not be teaching at DeVry University during the January 2017 session. It is something of a disappointment; I enjoyed the work I did there last time and was looking forward to doing it again.

Updated Comments about the Spring 2017 Instructional Term at Schreiner University

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In order to ensure that I can remain available to help the students at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, I have accepted an adjustment to my teaching schedule for the upcoming term. Instead of the schedule I initially report having for the term, I will be teaching two sections of ENGL 1302: Literature & Composition–Sections 02 and 03, MWF 1000 and 1100, respectively. While I would have liked to have been able to teach the History of the English Language class, outside factors have made that option currently unavailable; those students who signed up for the class specifically to take it with me should be assured that qualified faculty will handle the course.

I apologize for the adjustments that my shift in schedule will require and hope that I will continue to be able to be a benefit to the Mountaineer students.

Initial Comments for the Spring 2017 Term at Schreiner University

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I have recently received word that I have been assigned two courses for the Spring 2017 term at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. I am happy to have been thus informed. The classes are

Information about each will be forthcoming; please check back for updates.

In the meantime, I look forward to the continuing work of teaching, as well as to the opportunity to teach new classes!

Initial Remarks for the September 2016 Session at DeVry University in San Antonio

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As the new session begins and I find myself teaching ENGL 227: Professional Writing, there are a few things that present themselves as needing attention. Chief among them are due dates and certain assignment materials, both of which are presented below.

Due Dates

The University generally holds that weeks begin and end at midnight Mountain Time on Sundays (so at 0100 Monday mornings in San Antonio). Each week’s assignments are due before the week ends, meaning that written assignments are due according to the following schedule:

  • Resume, to the dropbox before 0059, 5 September 2016
  • Quiz, completed online before 0059, 12 September 2016
  • Routine Message, to the dropbox before 0059, 19 September 2016
  • Group Project Informal Analytical Report, to the dropbox before 0059, 26 September 2016
  • Negative or Bad News Message, to the dropbox before 0059, 3 October 2016
  • Group Project Formal Proposal (Preliminary Version), to the dropbox before 0059, 10 October 2016
  • Group Project Formal Proposal (Final Version), to the dropbox before 1159, 23 October 2016 (although earlier would be appreciated)

That the final assignment is due at a different point in the week than other assignments is an artifact of anticipated grade submission deadlines. I cannot put in final grades until I have assessed all assignments–and it takes time to assess projects.

Additionally, discussions must be completed according to the following schedule:

  • Week 1, before 0059, 5 September 2016
  • Week 2 open, before 0059, 12 September 2016
  • Week 2 group, before 0059, 12 September 2016
  • Week 3 open, before 0059, 19 September 2016
  • Week 3 group, before 0059, 19 September 2016
  • Week 4, before 0059, 26 September 2016
  • Week 5, before 0059, 3 October 2016
  • Week 6, before 0059, 10 October 2016
  • Week 7, before 0059, 17 October 2016

Typically, in each class meeting’s report, I will indicate the next applicable set of due dates. Still, knowing them ahead of time makes drafting a personal schedule easier–which should, in turn, make getting done all of what needs to be done easier.

Assignment Materials

How to handle the discussions on which class relies needs some explanation. Some of it is taken care of by the course shell already, but most of it is not. As such, I present the following document, which lays out what I expect and how I will assess it in the September 2016 session: ENGL 227 Discussion Assignment Sheet. Hopefully, it will clarify matters in advance of them becoming confused.

I look forward to teaching more professional materials once again, and I look forward to working with the students enrolled in my section for the session. Both promise to be enriching experiences for all involved.

Updated 30 August 2016 to account for better information.

About Additional Updates to My Teaching Life

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I have received word about upcoming events relating to my teaching career. At DeVry University, I have been offered a section of ENGL 227: Professional Writing for the September 2016 session. At Schreiner University, I have been offered a section of ENGL 1301: Rhetoric & Composition and a section of ENGL 3333/THRE 3333: Shakespeare: Comedies & Sonnets (the class is cross-listed) for the Fall 2016 term. I have accepted the offers, which are in addition to the courses I had already been assigned.

Information on the courses is in development, but I thought it might be good to keep people abreast of what is going on with me as I move forward with the Instruction part of Elliott RWI.

An Update for DeVry

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In class last night, a quirk in my assessment practices was identified. As such, I have revised my ENGL 135 Discussion assignment sheet; the new version is here: ENGL 135 Discussion Assignment Sheet Revision. It will be fully in force beginning with Week 3.

As a bridge-over, those students who had posted under the earlier stated deadline on Week 2 will receive full credit. Those who posted under the more common deadline on Week 2 will receive partial credit. It is my hope that the solution will read as equitable and allow for a better understanding moving forward.

About Due Dates at DeVry

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The thought occurs that a more concrete assertion of due dates is needed than has been provided. To rectify that problem, then, the following:

Discussions

Each week’s online discussions extend to 0059 on Monday of the next week. As such, the closing dates for each week’s graded discussions are

  • Week 1, 11 July 2016
  • Week 2, 18 July 2016
  • Week 3, 25 July 2016
  • Week 4, 1 August 2016
  • Week 5, 8 August 2016
  • Week 6, 15 August 2016
  • Week 7, 22 August 2016

Note that there are no graded discussions for Week 8. That does not mean there are no discussions that week, however; they should inform the Course Project Reflective Postscript.

Also, please do keep in mind the discussion requirements for the class, noted here: ENGL 135 Discussion Assignment Sheet.

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Course Project Components

The overall course project, culminating in the production of a conference-length paper, is broken down into a number of components. Such an additive model seeks to make the task of compiling a work that advances human knowledge less intimidating to those (relatively) new to it. Due dates for each part are noted below:

  • Topic Selection, 11 July 2016 at 0059
  • Information Literacy Module, 18 July 2016 at 0059
  • Source Summary, 18 July 2016 at 0059
  • APA Assessment Module, 25 July 2016 at 0059
  • Research Proposal, 25 July 2016 at 0059
  • Annotated Bibliography, 1 August 2016 at 0059
  • Course Project First Draft, 8 August 2016 at 0059
  • Course Project Second Draft, 15 August 2016 at 0059
  • Course Project Final Draft, 22 August 2016 at 0059
  • Course Project Reflective Postscript, end of class time on 25 August 2016 (class time will be given to completion of the assignment and to course evaluations)

Yes, multiple assignments are due at the same time. No, it is not necessary to turn them in at the time noted; earlier submission is encouraged (but be sure the assignment is done, and done well), and early commencement of work on the course project is strongly encouraged. And as far as grading goes…when multiple assignments are due at the same time, the assignments worth more of the grade will be graded first. (Some of my comments about grading, here, will be relevant.)

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I hope the information helps, and I look forward to seeing what my students present.

About Updates to My Teaching Life

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In some exciting news, I have more teaching work to do. Starting soon, I’ll be taking on a class at DeVry University in San Antonio. Not much later, I’ll be taking on a class at Schreiner University in Kerrville, my hometown. It will be a pleasure to be back at the front of the classroom, and it will be good, too, to try my skills in different settings than I have faced before; I welcome the challenges and the opportunities.

Updates to the website to reflect the changes are in progress. As ever, check back for more information!